Ezra Jin, the founder of Zion Church, one of China’s most prominent underground Christian congregations, has been released from prison and traveled to the United States on Friday evening. Jin’s release follows what observers describe as a rare instance of China freeing one of its own citizens in apparent response to diplomatic pressure from the United States. He had been among dozens of church members detained earlier this year during a broad enforcement action against Christians.
Jin’s case gained international attention through efforts by his family members, particularly his daughter Grace Jin Drexel, who testified before Congress requesting his release. Members of the Trump administration subsequently took up the matter, with the US president raising Jin’s case during a visit to Beijing in May. Trump stated at that time that China’s president Xi Jinping was “seriously considering” the release of imprisoned Christian leaders, though he indicated that progress on other detainees had proven more difficult.
Zion Church, which Jin established in 2007, represents one of China’s most visible house church movements. After the group’s physical location in Beijing was closed by authorities in 2018, the congregation transitioned to online worship services, which expanded its membership to thousands of participants. China permits Christian practice only through government-controlled religious institutions, leading many believers to worship in unofficial congregations like Zion instead.
China’s government has intensified enforcement actions against unregistered churches in recent years. Additional prominent groups have faced similar pressure, with members of Early Rain church detained in January and a gathering in Sichuan raided in June. Despite Jin’s release, several other Zion Church members remain in custody facing charges related to alleged illegal business operations and fraud, while nine others have been released pending trial.
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